Toronto Installation Celebrates Tolerance in Canadian Immigration System

25-06-2014

Canada is known both at home and abroad as a tolerant country that welcomes difference, and an installation currently showing in Toronto seeks to celebrate that quality in Canada’s immigration system.

The multimedia installation, titled “Landed,” is currently playing at Toronto’s Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre. The project, created by American Sarah Foy, tells the story of same-sex couples from around the world who immigrated to and settled in Canada, despite having no previous connection to Canada. The couples, dubbed “love exiles” were unable to settle with their partners in their home countries due to restrictions on same-sex marriage and ultimately chose a life in Canada to be together, despite having to leave friends and family behind.

While developing Landed, Foy interviewed more than 50 bi-national couples between the ages of 20 and 70 who had settled in Canada due to restrictive same-sex marriage laws in their home countries, including the United States. In most cases, the couples were comprised of one American partner and one partner from abroad. A wide variety of national origins are represented in Landed, which includes individuals from Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Japan, Holland, France, Indonesia, Taiwan, Zimbabwe, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Greece.

Canada is known for its tolerant immigration laws, particularly in comparison to many other developed nations. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are able to sponsor their same-sex partners to come and live in Canada, and bi-national same sex couples can apply for Canadian immigration either individually or as partners. In many countries, individuals are unable to sponsor their same-sex partner to join them in their home country and same-sex couples are ineligible to apply for immigration as partners. Landed serves to celebrate this quality in Canada’s immigration system, which opens up Canada’s doors to same-sex couples all over the world.

More information about how Canadians or Canadian permanent residents can sponsor their same-sex spouse, click here. For more information on how couples can apply for Canadian immigration as skilled workers, click here.

FWCanada is a Montreal-based immigration law firm that provides professional legal services on Canadian immigration. For more tips and updates on Canadian immigration follow FWCanada on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.